In the 12th century, Merseburg was one of the most important palaces in the empire. The Salian Henry V, Lothar of Süpplingenburg and the Hohenstaufen kings often stayed in the palace of Merseburg. This was considered to be the most productive in Saxony, with 40 daily services. The Jahr1000 treasures in September show how relations within and beyond the empire had intensified. A rare ivory casket from Sicily is evidence of the cultural connections as far as Italy. The founding of the Neumarkt, as reported in the Neumarkt Charter, shows how trade was extended eastwards via Leipzig.
